My daughter, Anoux, turned eleven this past week. "What are we going to do for my birthday, mommy?" she asked, in anticipation of her special day.

Since a birthday party with friends is out of the question during lockdown, and since we can't go anywhere for the day, I decided to make the most of the situation and threw her a spa party. Let me remind you, this party idea is definitely not just for girls!

A friend of mine did something similar for her two boys and they loved every second of it. Firstly because it is something out of the ordinary and secondly because it includes a lot of quality time.

Anoux Karsten het op 12 Mei haar 11de verjaarsdag tuis gevier.

I first went to a local store and bought facial masks, which you apply and then wash off, specifically fun flavours such as strawberry and chocolate that I knew my daughters would love. I also bought some cucumber to place over their eyes.

I got some massage oil and luckily we had a foot spa and a fold up bed, similar to what are used at spas, in my garage.

If you don't have that, you can still pour warm water into a bowl to soak their feet in, and you can always let them lie down on the couch or on the bed for the massage.

It is amazing what one can do with a few candles, some hot cloths, oil and YouTube meditation music!

We decorated one side of the living room with handmade flags and plenty of balloons.

I found some flat stones in the house and we warmed them up and used them to massage the children, similar to what spas do with the hot stone massage.

I sent my daughter an invite on her tablet, inviting her to her spa party at home.

It is amazing the atmosphere you can create with flowers, candles and some beauty products.

The dress code was gowns and slippers and I gave them each a headband decorated with a flower to keep the hair out of their faces.

I made some of my daughter's favourite snacks and we decorated the kitchen table with her birthday cake. Since a birthday is a day for celebration, I poured the children's juice into champagne classes.

We let the birthday girl go first and she got to choose her cosmetic face mask. The party started with her, soaking her feet in the foot spa, while we chatted and listened to the relaxing music. We rotated and once her feet were soaked, I gave her a special back and neck massage as well as a foot massage.

I took my time and she nearly fell asleep. I also found the touching and massaging of my children extremely comforting and so did they. We took turns and the party lasted for up to three hours, with them sipping on their juice, me, sipping on my wine, and us, chatting and relaxing while spending time together. I also got a nice massage.

Anoux gave her party a nine out of ten, and I must admit that I will definitely do this again. Lockdown or no lockdown, each household should try this.